Feb. 20, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Senior Petra Januskova has been named this week's Penn State Student-Athlete following her performance in the team's two matches over the weekend. This is Januskova's first time being honored with this award this spring. She was named Penn State's Student-Athlete of the Week during the fall after she won the ITA Atlantic Region Singles Championship over Li Xi in Blacksburg, Va.
Januskova won all four of her matches over the weekend playing in the No. 1 spot for singles and doubles in each of them. On Saturday the Nittany Lions defeated Winthrop 4-3. Januskova, ranked No. 36 in the nation, downed No. 107 Yasmine Alkema, 6-2, 6-4. The victory was Januskova's first this spring over a ranked opponent.
Januskova also teamed with Chelsea Utting to defeat Winthrop in doubles. The duo knocked off Alkema and Andressa Garcia 8-3. Januskova and Utting are the No. 4 ranked duo in the region and are each ranked in the region's singles poll as well. Januskova comes in at No. 2 in the region with Utting ranked at No. 15.
On Sunday Penn State faced Marshall, their third regional opponent of the season. The Nittany Lions won the match 6-1 with the Nittany Lions only dropping two of the nine matches.
Januskova once again team with Utting in the No. 1 doubles match where they took down Dominika Zaprazna and Maria Voscekova who are right behind the Nittany Lions duo in the regional rankings at No. 5. Following the doubles victory Januskova faced Zaprazna in singles competition. Januskova defeated the Atlantic Region's No. 8 ranked player in straight sets winning 6-4, 6-1.
The four victories improve Januskova's record to 10-3 on the spring, tied for second-most on the team trailing Utting who has 11. Carmen Sandor and Jacqueline Zuhse are the other two Nittany Lions with a 10-3 record currently.